This event held on October 12th 2024 at S. Willett Street and Lamar Avenue and was an amazing success! Images will be uploaded in a couple weeks to the gallery! Thank you to all who participated

In 2023, Paint Memphis came to the historic The Edge District in Memphis. Once known as Auto Row, this part of Memphis is where midtown and downtown meet. The Wonder Bread factory was built in the area in 1921, the same year that Taggart Baking Company of Indianapolis, Indiana launched the Wonder Bread brand with the first bread to come sliced by the 1930's. This area is also the birthplacing Studios, when he felt Sun was too small and outdated.

The district has been a focus of revitalization with new apartments, restaurants, breweries like High Cotton and Memphis Made Breweries, the Edge Motor Museum, and several auto repair shops today.

Paint Memphis was honored to work withe of rock and roll when Memphian Sam Phillips opened Sun Studios in 1950. The first rock and roll single was produced in 1951: Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats' version of Rocket 88. In 1954, Elvis grabbed a mic and made history. Right here in this district people like Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis and many others put their mark on musical history. In 1958, Sam Phillips opened Phillips Record the companies and building owners of The Edge District, in The Ravine Park and surrounding area, to bring color and vibrance to the buildings fighting blight while involving over 100 artists of all skill levels and styles.

The Broad Avenue Arts District in Memphis, Tennessee, is a vibrant and eclectic neighborhood located in the historic Binghampton community. The district is the bike friendly home to over 70 unique local businesses, including art galleries, artist studios, and boutique shops with the neighborhood's signature water tower.

Paint Memphis made public art a defining feature, with over 100 murals adorning buildings along Scott Street, Broad Avenue, and Hollywood. These murals create a sense of place and identity, making neighborhoods more attractive and inviting. They also provide opportunities for local artists to showcase their talents and gain recognition as well as serve as a catalyst for further investment and development.

The city of Memphis unveiled a two-mile stretch of street downtown named for B.B. King. B.B. King has a long and incredible history with Memphis, getting his first real start in the city, first naming himself Beale Street Blues Boy. Much of the area around 660 South B.B. King Boulevard was considered blight. Paint Memphis brought artists, hailing from both local and national communities, to create stunning murals on abandoned buildings on South B.B. King and Carolina. The result is a burst of color and creativity that breathes new life into neglected areas.

Paint Memphis 2020 was at the crazy start of COVID-19. We worked with another fantastic Memphis brewery, Grind City Brewing Company and other property owners in the Snuff and Carriage Districts (there's a special nod to the hard-working carriage horses on North 2nd Street). The 2020 festival was located at the brewery and around North Front, 2nd, and 7th Streets on warehouses, abandoned buildings, and storage facilities.

Paint Memphis 2020 was the longest festival, six weeks, due to Covid restrictions and featured over 100 artists from around the world, who transformed 660 South B.B. King Boulevard and Carolina Avenue in Memphis.

Put this somewhere else, not under 2020. It's general information that can be used in other areas.

Urban blight, characterized by abandoned buildings, vacant lots, and deteriorating infrastructure, poses significant challenges for cities worldwide. However, Paint Memphis uses an innovative and artistic solution using murals to combat blight and revitalize communities. This approach not only beautifies neglected areas but also fosters community pride and engagement.

Located on Lamar Avenue is the the Lamar Theatre, a historic gem in Memphis, Tennessee, has a storied past that reflects the evolution of entertainment in the city. Opened in 1926 by Joe Maceri and Paul Zerilla, who also managed the Daisy Theatre and the Rialto Theatre, the Lamar Theatre quickly became a beloved venue for moviegoers. The Lamar Theatre, originally opened in 1926, became infamous in the mid-1970s when it screened “Deep Throat.” This screening led to a significant legal battle. In 1976, the theatre’s showing of the film resulted in the Memphis pornography trial, which was a high-profile case concerning the legality of bringing the film across state lines. The trial was a pivotal moment in the fight against obscenity laws in the United States. It highlighted the tension between freedom of expression and community standards. The case drew national attention and was part of a broader conversation about censorship and the adult film industry. The trial was a pivotal moment in the fight against obscenity laws in the United States. It highlighted the tension between freedom of expression and community standards. The case drew national attention and was part of a broader conversation about censorship and the adult film industry. The legacy of Deep Throat and the Watergate scandal continues to influence American politics and journalism. The term “Deep Throat” has become synonymous with whistleblowers and the critical role they play in exposing corruption and holding those in power accountable.

This area has been has been a beacon of urban blight falling into disrepair and neglect. Paint Memphis gets together local street artists to create murals on both city-owned and privately owned properties that are frequent targets of illegal graffiti. The goal is to deter vandalism and enhance the aesthetic appeal of these areas. We allow property owners who have received blight violation tickets for graffiti to commission murals as a form of remediation. The project aims to install art in areas where graffiti is a recurring problem, beautifying the city and reducing blight..

The Memphis Medical District is a vibrant and dynamic area that bridges Downtown and Midtown Memphis. Anchored by the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, this district is a hub of medical and educational institutions, small businesses, cultural assets, and residential neighborhoods. City blight around 681-723 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Ave including the sides and back of the abandoned buildings into disrepair and neglect.

Paint Memphis knows urban blight has long been a challenge, leaving neighborhoods with abandoned buildings, vacant lots, and a sense of neglect. However, a growing movement is harnessing the power of art to combat this issue, bringing color, creativity, and community spirit to the forefront. Muralists are at the heart of this transformation, using their talents to turn eyesores into vibrant canvases that inspire and uplift.

Paint Memphis 2017 was one of the largest event with 150 Artists participating. The Underpass on Willett Street between Central and Lamar has long been a place that was filled with trash on the sides of the road and tags on the walls. Paint Memphis came to clean up and dd color and life to that area. Also Paint Memphis came to Al Town a D.I.Y. Skate park skate park made in an open basement built by Memphis skaters for Memphis skaters.

Murals are a powerful and creative solution to the problem of urban blight. By transforming neglected spaces into vibrant works of art, cities can rejuvenate neighborhoods, foster community pride, and stimulate economic growth. Paint Memphis demonstrates the potential of murals to not only beautify urban areas but also empower local artists and engage communities in meaningful ways. Paint Memphis explores innovative approaches to combat blight, murals will undoubtedly play a crucial role in creating more vibrant, welcoming, and resilient urban environments.

The First Paint Memphis was organized in 2015 at Chelsea Avenue between N. Watkins Street and N Evergreen flood wall. Memphis and much of the South was flooded in 1927 and again in 1937 with the highest river stage reaching 50.4 causing thousands of people to flee their homes and damaging homes and businesses. After the floodwaters receded the Memphis city government and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers devised a flood-control system such as levees, overflow reservoirs, pumping stations and, in 1940, a concrete flood wall system